Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-06-04
HORTICULTURE.

The Commencement, Growth and I'M
mense Development of the Industry.
From the earliest period of the gold
era, and even before that, there were some
fruit trees and vines planted. One of the
first persons to grow any number of grape
vines in the county was Jacob Knauth, in
1851. In that year be had brought from
Philadelphia some choice varieties of grape
cuttings, and the extent of his venture is
shown by the cost of the cuttings here,
which was $500. Samuel Norris, of the
Norris Grant, about that time had twenty
acres of vines. Mr.. knauth leased this
vineyard in 1854, and from both places he
sold 81 600 worth of grapes and had s., GOO
worth of wine Following these were
quite large number of small vineyards.
mostly OF the Mission variety Grape
growing, however, was not in a iourishing
condition for years, owing to the want OF
appreciation of California wines or the
part of our wine-drinkers and the lack OF
an available Eastern market for table
grapes These difficulties were, however,
gradually overcome; better wine was made
markets were lowered 50 rs 10 allow ship
ments East. Great advances were made
in the introduction of choice wine, table
and raisin grapes, and in ascertaining what
soils were adapted to their most perfect
production. Still lower Eastern rates
were granted from year to year. giving a
wonderful stimulus 10 vine-planting and
cultivation. The exact figures of this in
dpstry are not available, but the product
is something to be proud Of
WINE PRODUCTION, ETC.
There are several wineries in Sacra-
mento city: The Johnston Wine and
Brandy Manufacturing Company, which
last yesr manufactured nearly $4,000 gal
Ions of brandy; the Eagle Winery, which
crushed 1,200 tons of grapes and made
10000 gallons of wine; Kohler d Co.'s
winery, which consumed 200 tens of
grapes in making $4,000 gallons of wine.
There are several vineyardists who make
their own wine These wines are of all
kinds, and are made from the choicest va
rieties Of grapes of the world The intro
duction of the better varieties, better
modes of cultivation, and the knowledge
of manufacture which comes from long ex-
perience, have all combined to produce a
first-class wine, which is sought for in
Eastern markets at very remunerative
prices.
IN THE GROWING OF RAIsIN AND TABLE
GRAPES
The same marked progress has been made
The raisins made from grapes grown in
various parts of the county = notably
Florin and Elk Grove-are as good in
every respect as the best imported raisins.
The prices obtained for these raisins nave
been such as to largely increase the areas
already devoted TO the raisin grape. 1t is
safe to predict that ten years from now there
will be many thousands of acres in raisin-
grape vineyards, and that industry will be
an important and profitable one. One
hundred dollars per acre is moderate net
return for a full-bearing raisin vineyard,
and such figures will change large areas
from cereals to vines. The production Of
table grapes is also considerable one, and
rapidly increasing. There seems to be an
unlimited demand for our table grapes by
the sixty million people east of the Sier-
ras. We grow varieties which the climate
there forbids, and we get them to that
market long before their grapes are ready
for consumption.
DECIDUoUs FRUITS.
In tree fruits Sacramento is in the first
rank of the fruit counties of the State.
The same influences which stimulated the
also spurred on the orchardist.
There were 1000 carloads of green fruits
shipped from Sacramento city last year.
How much of it was grown in the county
il is impossible to tell 1t is sure, how
ever that much more than 10000 tons OF
fruit-the amount in those ears-was
grown in this county. There are three
great fruit districts in this county: the
American river district, the Brighton,
Florin and Elk Grove district, and the
river district
THE AMERICAN RIVER
District extends from Brighton to the
boundary of the county, and con-
tains many orchards and vineyards, both
arge and small There are so many of
.hese that mere mention Of them would
here be impossible, but few of them are
given with an estimate of the number
If acres in trees 4. Menke has
30 acres in orchard and in vine
Yards; DIR. Manloye has 100 acres,
Mr.. Harlowe, has from 80 to 60 acres, Mr..
Murphy about the same. A. J. Rickey
3 acres; Mr.. Camp, 40 acres; Eli Wells,
20 acres; J. a. Mouton, so acres: Wien
took & Lubin, 200 acres; Mrs. Stonir, 80
lcres; r. d. Stephens, 100 acres; Mr..
lean, 60 acres; the Hoey estate, so acres:
Peter Hoey, go acres; J. Patterson, 30
Icres; Mr.. Espy, 20 acres; John Studa-
'arus, ,Chas Dettering, 100 acres; Mr.. Smith,